Measuring and marking machine for sheet material



Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HQOUGHTON 2,692,539

MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 5, 1951 13Sheets-Sheet 1 1 5% I rrn /Z-6 f4 1% fa fm/enlar. mlliam M.Houghz0n Byhis A ztor'rzey Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HOUGHTON 2,692,539 MEASURING ANDMARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 5, 1951 13 Sheets-Sheet 2Fg. 4 136 ay 1% 5/44 I /40 4% I w 35 8 b Inventor T/Vz'lli'am MfioughzonBy hisAzzorney Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HOUGHTON 2,692,539

MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 5, 1951 15Sheets-Sheet 3 2&4 59- 5 am Inventor I/Vz'ZZZczm Mffoughzon By hisAttorney Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HOUGHTON 2,692,539

MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 5, 1951 1.3Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor illz'am Mffoughzon By hisAzzorney Oct. 26, 1954w. M. HQUGHTCVDN MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL 15SheeIs-Sheet 5 Filed April 5 1951 QM wk MP s% w I W n w m.

- LVN/jam MHaugfzzon Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HOUGHTON MEASURING AND MARKINGMACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL l5 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 5, 1951fnveniar Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HOUGHTON 2,692,539

MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 5, 1951 l5Sheets-Sheet 7 a By his Attorney Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HOUGHTON MEASURINGAND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL l5 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April 5,1951 \\w n a Q @R E r m w m m n w 0 v M A n m .m o M n Z up B Oct 26,1954 w. M. HOUGHTON MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIALFiled April 5, 1951 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HOUGHTON2,692,539

MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 5, 1951 13Sheets-Sheet l0 Oct. 26, 1954 w. M. HOUGHTON 2,692,539

MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 5, 1951 13Sheets-Sheet 11 75 Sr 4 w 4 By hz'sAzzorney 732 W Oct. 26, 1954 w. M.HOUGHTON MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL 15Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed April 5, 1951 Willz'czmM/foughzan By his AttorneyOct. 26, 1954 2,692,539

MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL Filed April 5, 1951 W.M. HOUGHTON 13 Sheets-Sheet l3 omnkwmvmwfl liliilij hfi T; i Aw Na wklnuenfor T/VzZ/z'am M. Hough to)? By hisj'zlrjj/y Patented Oct. 26, 1954MEASURING AND MARKING MACHINE FOR SHEET MATERIAL William M. Houghton,Marblehead, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation,Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application April 5, 1951,Serial No. 219,346

Claims.

This invention relates to im rovements in work measuring machines suchas those of the type known as the Sawyer or Ramsdell area measuringmachines, and more particularly to an improved machine for measuring andmarking sheet material such as hides and skins including mechanism forautomatically placing a label on each work piece indicating or recordingthe result of the measurement.

Leather area measuring machines as generally used in the tanningindustry are, broadly considered, of the type shown in the patents to W.A. Sawyer No. 329,597 and L. O. Ramsdell No. 931,144. These machineshave been modified in many specific details since their introductioninto industry and, in many instances, now include additional features.Some features such as pinwheel measuring wheels, shown in the PatentsNos. 1,046,655 and 1,474,385, granted to G. A. Schettler, have beenadopted in some countries and not in others.

These machines, considered broadly and whether or not they include theadditional features above referred to, conventionally include a closelyarranged group of parallel and rotatable measuring wheels under whichleather is driven by a power rotated bed roll. In so far as is necessaryin describing such machines with relation to the present invention, itis sufficient to state that the degree of rotation (eifective formeasurement of the work area) of all the measuring wheels is transmittedby suitable mechanism to a pivotally mounted beam provided with atoothed sector and that the teeth of the sector mesh with the teeth of asmall pinion gear fixed to the shaft or hub of an indicating device. Thedegree of rotation of this shaft or hub is taken as a measurement, inwhatever units selected, of the area of each work piece passed beneathand in contact with the measuring wheels. The indicating device usuallytakes the form of a graduated dial and a cooperative pointer mounted onthe shaft or hub referred to. A resetting shaft is also provided on suchmachines so that the indicating device or pointer is returned to zero,after each measuring operation has been completed, as a preliminary stepfor the measurement of the next work piece. The above brief descriptionpertains to the usual form of measuring machine to which the presentinvention may be applied but it will be understood that the inventionmay also be used in connection with other types of work measuringmachines in which the extent of some motion is an indicia ofmeasurement.

As machines for measuring the areas of consecutively presented workpieces are customarily used, one operator standing in front of a machinespreads and feeds a given work piece beneath the measuring wheels andcalls out the area reading as taken from the indicating device. A secondoperator standing at the rear of the machine receives the dischargedwork piece and marks it as he hears and understands the call from thefirst operator. Errors and misunderstandings often occur in the use ofsuch a system and efforts have been made automatically to mark the areameasurements on the work pieces and thereby avoid the difficulties abovementioned as well as eliminate manual labor. Such an effort is taught inthe Patent No. 1,595,465, granted to D. E. Harding. In such eiforts, thework pieces are marked or stamped with inkbut the results have notproved satisfactory for a number of reasons. Fibers or dust from thework often clogs or mats the stamping or marking device. If the markingdevice is kept clean the marks on the work are nevertheless somewhatindefinite as the fibrous structure as well as the oily content ofleather prevents good printing. The selection of inks for the variousleathers or other materials to be measured is difficult and furthercomplexities arise because contrasting colors or shades of ink must beused when the materials to be measured or their colors are changed, andif one ink adheres satisfactorily to a particular material it will notnecessarily give clear definition on another material.

It is an object of this invention to provide improvements in a machinefor measuring sheet materials in which the above-mentioned difficultiesare avoided. A further object is to provide a measuring machine forsheet materials such as hides or skins by which the measurements, asmade on consecutively presented work pieces, automatically are printedon labels and the latter attached to the corresponding work pieces.

To this end, and in accordance with an important feature of the presentinvention, a mechanism for printing characters on labels in accordancewith measurements and applying the labels to consecutively fed workpieces is cooperatively associated with a measuring machine. Anotherfeature is a manually movable carriage whereby a restricted area of eachwork piece may be selected during the measurement and upon which area itbe desired that the label be attached as a record. One other feature isa circuit selector by means of which a measurement made by a measuringmachine is electrically transmitted to 3 a printer. Still anotherfeature is a mechanism for automatically resetting a measuring machineincluding a printer and stapler to place it in readiness for arepetitive operation.

These and other important features of the invention will be described indetail in the specification and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is an elevation view, with parts broken away for betterillustration, of the major portion of the left-hand side of a machine inwhich the present invention is embodied;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of some of the details of the machine asshown in Fig. 1 with intermediate portions omitted and as seen from thfront of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of some of the parts as seen in Fig. 1 butwith those parts as located during a different portion of the cycl ofoperation;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side view of details pertaining to a totalizingmechanism located at the top of the machine and as seen in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view along the line V1VI of Fig. 5 looking fromthe front of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view along the line VII-VII of Fig. 5 looking fromthe front of the machine;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to that of Fig. '7 but with some parts rotatedto different positions;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view along the line IX-IX of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a view in the direction of the arrow X in Fig. 1 showing themarking and labeling mechanism and drawn to an enlarged scale but withthe rear side of the mechanism shown to the right;

Fig. 11 is a view along the line XIXI of Fig.

10 showing the marking and labeling mechanism in raised position;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to that of Fig. 11 but with the mechanism inlabeling position on a work piece;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view along the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 11 drawn toa larger scale;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view along the line XIVXIV of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view along the line XV-XV of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken along the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 11;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view along the 'line XVII-XVII of Fig. 13 withthe parts in raised or non-printing positions;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to that of Fig. 17 but with the printingelements in lowered or operative positions and some parts being omitted;

Fig. 19 is a view of means for driving the ribbon, taken along the lineXIX-XIX of Fig.13;

Fig. 20 is a view of details shown in Fig. 13 but with differentoperative positions for the parts;

Fig. 21 is a sectional view along the line XXL-XXI Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view along the line XXIIXXII of Fig. 13 drawn toan enlarged scale and showing the parts in starting positions with acover plate removed;

Fig. 23 is a partial showing of details shown in Fig. 22 but withoperative parts in intermediate positions (beginning to drive a staple);

Fig. 24 is a view similar to Fig. 23 but with the parts in positionsassumed at a later stage in the operative cycle (at the completion of adriving operation);

Fig. 25 is an end view of the parts as shown in Fig. 22 with a smallsection broken away;

Fig. 26 is a sectional view partially along the line XXVIXXVI of Fig. 25but the major portion being broken away at a slightly lower plane;

Fig. 2'7 is a view of a short length of staples with the points of onestaple bent into the shape assumed upon being driven;

Fig. 28 is an exploded view of driven parts of the stapler mechanism;

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the lower ends of the parts shown inFig. 23 drawn to a larger scale, in assembled relation, and with asheared staple in position to be driven;

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of an edge of a work piece with an areamarking as placed upon it by means of the apparatus of the presentinvention;

Fig. 31 is an enlarged sectional view along the line XXXIXXXI of Fig.14; and

Fig. 32 is a diagrammatic showing of the electrical circuit foroperating the printing, resetting and stapling mechanism.

The present invention is shown as embodied in a mechanism installed on aleather measuring machine of the Sawyer type but of the type providedwith pin-wheel measuring wheels as heretofore referred to. Such amachine is provided with a main frame having two side standards l0 andi2 (Figs. 1-4) and upon which frame is mounted a power driven bed rollor work support [4. The bed roll is adapted to be constantly driven, thedirection of rotation being as shown by the arrow in Fig. 1. In thepresent instance, the bed roll 14 is provided with annular grooves (notshown) to receive annular rows of pins 16 (Fig. 3) of individuallyrotatable work measuring wheels IB mounted in parallel relation anddirectly above the bed roll. These pins and wheels do not form a part ofthe present invention but the pins are employed when the machine is ofthe pin-wheel type as disclosed in Patent No. 1,046,655 heretoforereferred to. A horizontal work table 20 is provided for presentingconsecutive work pieces in a spread-out condition to the bite betweenthe bed roll Hi and the series of measuring wheels IS. A rearwardlyinclined table 22 supports all or a portion of each work piece 23 (Fig.3) after it has been measured and while it is being acted upon by theinstrumentalities of the present invention. A box IE for the electricalcontrols and two fluid pressure control valves l! and I9 arediagrammatically shown in Fig. 1 as positioned on the standard H).

In the conventional machine, as heretofore widely used in the industry,a shaft is mounted to drive a pointer with relation to a dial andthereby indicate the units of area of each work piece passed through themachine. Such a dial may be retained on a machine utilizing the presentinvention but a dial is not essential and is not disclosed in theembodiment shown in the drawings. The dial shaft or its equivalent isretained and its extent of rotation is proportional to each areameasured. This shaft is considered herein as part of a totalizingmechanism (totalizing the units of area of each work piece) mounted atthe top of the machine and indicated at B in Fig. 1.

There are three main mechanisms or assemblies which, considered togetherand when mounted on a leather measuring machine, constitute acooperative unit for carrying out the purposes of the present invention.One mechanism A (Fig. 1) is provided with a handle and is both manuallyafid power operated. It is mounted across the front and on the left-handside of the machine. A second mechanism B (Fig. 1) at the top of themachine is the totalizing mechanism referred to above. The thirdmechanism C (Fig. 1) is a movable carriage and associated parts mountedat the back of the machine, this carriage serving as a mounting for atape feeder, a tape cutter, a ribbon feeder, a printer and a staplingdevice.

The mechanism A includes a bar 24 (Figs. 2

and 3) with a rectangular cross section and a round rod 26 arrangedparallel to the bar and both extending almost the full distance betweenthe standards I0 and I2. The bar 24 and rod 26 are joined by two endmembers 28 and 30.

(Fig. 2) each located just within a standard I0 or I2. The ends of thebar 24 are attached to the members 28 and by bolts 32 and 34respectively. The ends of the rod 26 are pinned to the members 28 and30. The standard I0 is provided with a forward extension plate 36 With ahub in which is journaled a short shaft 38. One end of the shaft 38 ispinned to the member 28. A short shaft (Fig. 2) is pinned to the member30 and is journaled in an extended portion 42 formed on the standard I2.Freely and longitudinally slidable on the tiltable rectangular structuremade up of the members 28 and 38, bar 24 and the rod 26 is a bifurcatedmember 44 having an arm 46 extending rearwardly (Fig. 3) with tworollers 48 and supported thereby and in rolling contact relation withthe top and bottom sides of the bar 24. The rollers are mounted on studs52 and 54. A handle 56 is fixed in an upwardly extending position to thetop of the bifurcated member 44. A curved plate 60, preferably ofplastic, is pivotally mounted on studs 62 and 64 (Fig. 2) threaded intoand extending through depending arms of the bifurcated member 44. One ofthese depending arms is provided with a pin 66 extending within themember 44 and a coiled spring 68 is mounted, under tension, with one endconnected to the pin 66 and the other end to the upper portion of thecurved plate 60. A flanged or U-shaped plate 10 is attached to bothdepending parts of the member 44 and supports a microswitch 12 inoperative relation with an adjustable contactor 14 fixed to the plasticplate 60. One end of the curved plate 60 (which functions as a feelerdevice) is curved at 16 to form a smooth contact with the surface ofwork, such as work piece 23, to be measured. If no work is present onthe table 20, then the curved end 16 is arranged to extend into a recess80 formed in and along the full width of the table 20. This recessinsures an adequate vertical and horizontal range of action for thefeeler device or plate 60 regardless of the thickness or width of thework 23.

The left-hand side of the machine frame standard I0, Fig. l, is providedwith three brackets 82, 84 and 85 upon which are mounted pulleys 86, 88,90 and 9|. The right-hand side of the standard I2 is similarly providedbut only two of the pulleys thereon (02 and 64) are shown (Fig. 2). Oneend of a flexible cable 96 is attached to the handle member 44 by a hook98 (Fig. 2) and the cable passes around the pulleys 86, 88 and the twopulleys are not shown but provided on the right-hand side of the machine(similar to the pulleys 90 and 9|). The other end of the cable 96 isattached by means of a hook I00 (Fig. 10) to a main frame of themechanism C or movable carriage heretofore referred to. A second cableI02 is joined to the handle member 44 by a hook 6 I04 (Fig. 2) andpasses around pulleys 92, 94, and BI to a hook I06 (Fig. 10) on thecarriage.

As in conventional machines of the type herein considered, a shaft H0(Fig. l) is provided for resetting the totalizing mechanism B to zeropreliminary to measurement of the next work piece. This shaft isoperated, according to the present disclosure, by a novel mechanismwhich is automatic. The shaft H0 projects slightly from the left-handside of the machine frame or standard I0 and a lever H2 is pinnedthereto. The end of the lever H2 is pivoted to a vertical link H4 whichin turn is pivoted to the piston rod of a fluid-driven motor H6 mountedon the standard I0. A coil spring H8 connects a fixed pin I20 on thestandard to a pin I22 projecting from the lower end of the link H4. Oneend of a long link I24 is pivoted to a short arm I26 of the lever H2 andthe opposite end is pivoted at I21 (Figs. 1 and 4) to one arm of a bellcrank I28 journaled on a shaft I30 projecting from the standard I0. Theother arm of the bell crank I28 is connected by means of a link I32 tothe upper end of a plate or lever I34 mounted for free rotation on andwith respect to the shaft 38. A finger I36 is pivoted to the lever I34and is provided with a projection I38 adapted to engage a recess I40 ina plate I42 pinned to the shaft 38. A pin I44 is affixed to the standardI0 for engagement with an inclined surface I46 on the finger I36. Aspring detent arrangement I50 is provided for biasing and holding theplate I42 (and the shaft 38) in either of two angular positions withrespect to the standard I0.

The totalizing mechanism B (Fig. 1) is further illustrated in Figs. 5 to9. As in conventional machines, a pivotally mounted beam I56 (Fig. 6)and toothed sector I58 are adapted to swing as a unit about a center notshown and thereby transfer a measurement from the measuring wheels I8 toa small pinion gear I60. In the present instance this gear I60 is madepart of a hub I62 joined to a cam plate I64. A roughly U- shaped bracketI66 is mounted on the machine frame and the forward leg of the bracketis provided with a housing I68 for ball bearings I10 on which the hubI62 and cam plate I64 are supported for rotation, in a counterclockwisedirection as viewed from the front of-the machine, as a givenmeasurement occurs. An arm I61 projects from the bracket I66 andsupports an adjustable stop pin I 69 which is adapted to be engaged bythe beam I56 when the totalizing mechanism is set at zero. The rear legI1I of the bracket I66 is bored at I 12 slidably to receive a shaft I14which extends through the cam plate I64 and its hub I62 and through thecap I16 of the housing I68. The leg IN is provided with a rearwardlyextending arm I18 t0 the end of which is pivoted a bell crank I80. Onearm of the bell crank is attached by a vertical link I82 to the plungerof a solenoid I84 attached to the bracket I66. A vertical arm of thebell crank is attached by means of a link I90 to the rearwardlyextending end of the shaft I14. A coil spring I92 encompasses the shaftI14 and is placed in compression between the bracket leg HI and a collarI94 fixed to the shaft I14. The collar I 64 is provided with an arm I96supporting an adjustable screw I68 arranged to operate a micro-switch200 affixed to the top of the leg I1 I. A circular switch plate 202 isplaced contiguous to and parallel with the cam plate I64 and rigidlyaffixed to the shaft I14 by means of a back plate 204 having a hub 206pinned to the shaft. Seventeen switches are locked in positions betweenthe two plates 202 and 204 with the switch buttons protruding throughthe plate 202 as will further appear. Plates 202 and 204 are joined bymeans of interconnecting bolts 2 I passing through the plate 204 andscrewed into the plate 202. A pin 2I2 projects downwardly from thebottom of the switch plate 202 into a slot 2I4 cut in the bracket I66preventing rotation of the switch plate 202 but permitting its motiontoward and away from the cam plate I64.

In describing the arrangement of the cam plate lugs and the switches ofthe totalizing mechanism, a brief statement of the function of thatmechanism is essential and is submitted. When a skin or hide 23 to bemeasured has passed through the bite between the bed roll I4 and themeasuring wheels I8, the cam plate I64 takes a position to which it hasbeen rotated by the toothed sector I58 and corresponding to themeasurement. It has been found that with a cam plate diameter of 7%" itis suitable if the cam plate is rotated by the measuring machine in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed from the front of the machine)through an angle of l1.25 per square foot measured. With the cam plateIE4 in a position corresponding with the total area measured, the switchplate 202 is adapted, by action of the solenoid I84, to move forwardagainst the plate I64. Lugs machined on the rearward face of the camplate I64 contact the pins or buttons of the appropriate switcheselectrically to convey the area measurement to appropriate solenoids ina printer in the mechanism C (Fig. 1). With the mechanism shown in thedrawings the greatest measurement which may be made is 31% square feetmeasured to the nearest quarter of a square foot which is adequate foruse in tanneries.

In Figs. 7 and 8 the machined lugs of the cam plate I64 are shown assectioned. Quarter square foot indications are operated by the outer andcomplete ring of narrow lugs 220. As the series of 4 quarter switches222 attached to the switch plate 202, over the measurement range, isoperated 32 times, there are 32 lugs 220. In order to secure adequateswitch mounting space the angle between the switch pins or buttons ofthe switches 222 is made not to correspond with each square foot butwith 1 4; Thus, as a given measurement increases and a given lug 220leaves the square foot pin, for instance, the square foot pin is engagednot by the same lug 220 but by the one next to it. There are fourquarter foot switches 222 and the order of precedence in the printingis: 0, 1, 2, and 3.

The lug and switch pin relationships, if perfect machining could beachieved, should be such that if, for instance, the A square foot pin isengaged the square foot pin will be missed, or vice versa, when themeasurement ends in of a square foot. This is impossible in a practicalsense, however, and there must be alap resulting in regions where twoadjacent switch pins are pushed. A negative lap where neither pin wouldbe pushed is intolerable and a positive lap of .043" on the quarterscircle for the leading edges of the A; pin and lugs has been provided.As

a measurement increases, the /2 pin engages before the pin ceases toengage. No difficulty is encountered, however, for at the printer thepin takes precedence because of its location and the lap has no effect.The trailing, edges of the pin and lug are the critical ones and squarefeet or 14.0625. 1

8 must cease to engage at exactly square foot. The width of the lug isthen established to put the leading edge beyond its theoretical positionby the mount of the lap. The same conditions obtain in the shifting fromthe V2 pin to the pin.

The positive lap arrangement (at the leading edges of the totalizingmechanism) above mentioned, without further provision, cannot be reliedupon at the shift from the pin to the zero pin because the zero pin atthe printer is encountered before the pin. The zero pin (at thetotalizing mechanism) would become effective by engagement of itsleading edge, which point is advanced by the amount of the lap. Thiswould introduce an error but the difficulty is avoided electrically byplacing the trailing edge of the lug in control of this shift also. Mostof the switches used are single-pole and normally-open. The switch,however, is double throw and its normally-closed contact is wired inseries with the zero pin circuit in such a way as to prevent closure ofthe latter simultaneously with the circuit. During the lap region whereboth switches are operated the zero pin circuit is opened by the switchso that the printer is controlled by the latter switch.

It is desired that the single units of square feet be printed in theorder of: 0 to 9. There are therefore ten switches 224 with actuatingpins in an intermediate circle corresponding with a circle of four lugs226, 221, 228 and 229. The shifts from one figure or unit to the nexttake place one square foot or 11.25 apart and the center lines of theswitches 224 are that distance apart. The lug width is established togive a suitable lap (.027"). The 9 switch is of double throw design andinhibits the 0, for the reason explained above in connection with theswitch, and in the same manner.

The row of 10 unit switches 224 are operated by the three lugs 226, 221and 228 through the three respective stages between 0 and 29% squarefeet. A complication arises in that the machine ca- 17 pacity is 31%square feet and not 30 and the units lug spacing does not integrate intothe full 360 on the cam plate I64. The difficulty is avoided byproviding a fourth lug 229 for the 30" to 31%" readings in the unitsseries. The lug 229 engages the switch pins of switches 224 when the lug228 leaves them at a measurement of 29 /8 square feet. This lug 229,however, is not effective in other ranges because of the arrangement ofthe solenoids in the printer of the carriage in the mechanism C (Fig. 1)and the circuits leading thereto as will further appear. The arrangementreferred to is such that the lower figure takes precedence--i. e.,whenever two unit switch plungers are contacted, the higher isineffective.

The electrical connections which prevent the lap from bringing the 0 inearly following the 9, are not effective at a measurement of 31% squarefeet, where the printed figure should change from 31% to 0. At anymeasurement above 31% square feet, the machine records 0.

The central area of the plate 202 is greatly limited but three switches232, 234, and 236 are retained in position by that plate and two arcuateand concentric lugs 238 and 240 on plate I64 are located for operationin that zone for transferring the tens readings. For measurements lessthan 9% square feet these elements, of course, are ineffective. Lug 238controls the 10 (1 in the tens position) by switch 232 and the "20 byswitch 234 and its length corresponds to about square feet of workmeasurement (the range during which either switch 232 or 234 is in use).Switches 232 and 234 are located the same distances from the center ofthe plate 202. Switch 236 is located a greater distance from the centerand is operated by the lug 240 which is used over a range of only 2square feet, that is, between 29% to 31% square feet. The length of thelug 240 is such that there is no lap at either end.

In a given measurement over 9%; square feet in extent, the firsteffective contact in the tens position involves the leading edge of thelug 23B contacting the switch 232 with no lap. If the printer solenoidswere in the order of 10-20-30, the shift from "10 to would be determinedby the trailing edge of lug 238 which would also be required to have nolap whereas a positive lap must be provided at one end of the lug 238 asa matter of practical operation. The difficulty is avoided by reversingthe order of the printer solenoids to -20-10, a higher figure now makingthe lower figures ineffective. For example, the figure 20 becomeseffective when the leading edge of lug 238 (no lap) contacts the switch234. The 10 switch may still operate but without effect and a positivelap on the trailing edge of lug 238 is therefore permissible.

The system of laps above referred to and the electrical connectionsfurther to be described provide for proper transition from one figure toanother in the same series (quarters, units or tens). It is possible,however, in such a system and perhaps through very slight errors inmachining, that a given measurement would terminate at a point at whichthe units system has shifted and the quarters has not (or vice versa).In such an event, a glaring error would be introduced. This criticalsituation would possibly occur only at measurements ending in of asquare foot. It is also essential that the tens series be accuratelysynchronized in the system.

To achieve proper synchronization of the three series a simple give andtake mechanism is provided which has no effect unless a measurementterminates in a reading very close to of a square foot. This mechanismcomprises a ring of 16 lugs 246 integral with the cam plate I64 and aspring biased plunger 248 (Fig. 9) mounted on the plate 202 for coactionwith the lugs 246. A boss 250 is formed on the plate 202 for housing acoil spring 252 confined between the head of the plunger 248 and a screwcap 254. The plate 204 is provided with an opening 256 for access to andadjustment of the screw 254. The end 258 of the plunger 24B is taperedand the slope is such as to engage an edge of one of the lugs 240Whenever a reading is close to of a square foot and to angularlydisplace the cam plate I64 away from the exact measurement. In thespecific construction disclosed, the maximum angular displacement of thecam plate I64 by the plunger 248 is 0.825". The maximum theoreticalerror so introduced is 0.036 square foot. While this error isinsignificant, it is neutralized by arranging the lugs 246 so that thedisplacement of plate I64 is in one direction and in the oppositedirection on alternate square feet.

When the plunger 248 comes in contact with the flat surface of a lug 246(away from a square foot reading), the spring 252 yields and no rotativeeffect is had upon the plate I64. When the plunger 248 comes between twoof the lugs 246, without contacting the edge of either, then also thereis no effect and the length of stroke of 10 the plunger 248 is such thatit does not strike the main body of the plate I64.

The third mechanism C (Fig. l) heretofore referred to, pertains to amovable carriage which is more fully illustrated, in its generalaspects, in Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive. Fixed to the stationary parts ofthe measuring machin are two angle bars or tracks 260 and 262. They areplaced across the rear of the machine and above as well as parallel withthe table 22. The carriage comprises a rectangular main frame or upperdeck 264 having side members with L-shaped crosssections. The forwardportion of the deck 264 is provided with a projection 266 upon which ismounted a wheel 268 adapted to rest upon the track 260. The rear portionof the deck 264 is provided with projections 210 and 212 for supportingflanged wheels 214 and 216 adapted to travel on the upstanding flange oftrack 262. A finger 269 is attached to the forward portion of deck 264and extends beneath the track 260 positively to retain the carriage onthe track. A second finger 21I is provided at the rear of the deck 264and cooperates with the track 262 as a positive guide. An L-shaped plate213 is also attached to the deck 264 adjacent to the finger 2H andthrough the end of which a rod 215 is held in slidable relation. A snapring 211 is attached to the top of the rod 215 as a stop means.

The upper deck 264 is provided with a transverse member 280 of L-shapedcross section to which is welded an upwardly inclined arm 282 forsupporting a rotatable reel 284 for holding a roll of marking orlabeling tape 286. An arm 288 is also welded to the member 280 andattached thereto is a rack 290. Beneath and in the same plane with thereel 284 is a pivot pin 292 which is threaded into the member 280 andupon which a depending link 294 is journaled. At one side of the deck264 is a switch 295 which is arranged to be controlled by means and fora purpose to be described.

A flange 296 (Figs. 11 and 12) is fixed to one side of the upper deck264 and bolted at 298 on the flange is an air motor cylinder 300 towhich a flexible air hose 302 is connected. Within the cylinder 300 is atwo-part piston made up of a main part 304 having a concavity therein(see Fig. 11) and a spring pressed cap 306 adapted to rock in theconcavity. The cap 306 is fixed to a piston rod 300 which is somewhatcoaxial with a compressed coil spring 3I0. Two threaded rods 3 I2 extendfrom the cylinder 300 and adjustably support a plate 3I4 whereby thecompression of the spring 3 I 0 may be varied. The piston rod 308 passesthrough and in slidable but non-contacting relation with the plate 3Mand is pivoted at 3"; to a plate 3 I8 which is pinned to a shaft 320 andalso pivoted to the upper end of a link 322. The shaft 320 is journaledin bosses 324 and 326 (Fig. 10) provided on the side members of theupper deck 264. Also pinned to the shaft 320 are two levers 328 and 330.One end of the lever 328 (Fig. 10) is pivoted to a link 332 (similar tolink 322) and the upper end of lever 330 is pivoted to a link 334 whichin turn is pivoted at its other end to the upper end of a lever 336pinned to a shaft 340. One end of the upper deck 264 is provided withtwo brackets 342 and 344 in which the shaft 340 is journaled. Two levers346 and 348 have hubs pinned to the shaft 340 and each of these leversis shaped like an inverted U as is lever 328 and to one depending leg ofeach is attached a link 350 or 352.

Beneath and parallel with the upper deck 264 is an intermediate deck 360two opposite sides of which are angle bars 362 and 364 and the ends ofwhich are joined by flanged plates 356 and 368. The deck 360 is providedwith four ears 3'10, 3'12, 314 and 316 through which pins are passed forpivotally connecting the links 322, 332, 348 and 350, respectively, tothat deck. The plate 366 supports two downwardly extending pins 318 and380 which are held in their positions by nuts 382 and 384 and a longerpin 386 held by two nuts 388 and 390. The intermediate deck 360 ismovable from and toward the upper deck 264 and is guided upon suchmovement by four rods 392, 394, 396 and 393 passing through 358 andbosses 410 and 412 of a casting 414 (Fig.

14) which is T-shaped in cross section through which the rods are placedin fixed relation. The deck 360 also supports a depending bolt 416attached to the flanged plate 368.

The carriage also has a third or lower deck 420 which is arrangedparallel to the other two and which is supported on the reduced andthreaded ends of the four rods 392, 394, 396 and 398. Normally or whilethe machine is not in operation the bottom of the lower deck 420 isparallel with and spaced a short distance from the work supportingsurface of the work discharge table 22.

The lower deck 420 serves as a support for means or mechanism forfeeding a tape, inked ribbon and staples as well as for a printer P,tape cutter and a stapler. Each of these mechanisms is considered belowand with relation to other parts of the machine.

The reel 284 has heretofore been referred to as a reel for holding orstoring tape 286. preferably of such a nature that it may be refilledquickly. The tape should be flexible, receptive to inked markings, andmay be of a fibrous material such as paper or cotton. The tape 286 isled downwardly and into the bite between a rubber-covered feed roll 422(Fig. 14) and a steel roll 424 mounted in cooperative relation on a tapeguiding member 426 attached to the lower deck 420 by bolts 428 andscrews 430 (Figs. 13, 14 and 18). 432 which are integral with the member426. Two brass strips 434 (only one is shown in Fig. 14) are attached tothe member 426 by screws 438 to overlap slightly on and guide the tape286. The strips 434 terminate near the edge of the member 426. A cutterblock 440 with a slot 442 for the tape is attached to the lugs 432 byscrews 444 and 445 (Fig. 18). The lower side of the slot 442 is in thesame plane as the end of the tape guiding surface of the member 426. Thescrew 444 serves as a pivot for a cutter knife 449 in addition tosupporting, in part, the block 440. The member 426 is provided withbearing brackets 450 and 452 (Fig. 13) for the feed roll 422 and aspring member 454 is held to the member 426 by screws 456 and engagesthe teeth of a ratchet wheel 458 attached to the roll 422 to rotatetherewith only in one direction.

A shaft 460 of the roll 422 passes through the bracket 452 (Fig. 13)which is integral with the It is The screws 430 pass through lugs member426 and this bracket is recessed slidably to receive the depending rack290 the teeth of which are in engagement with a gear 464 on the shaft. Acover plate 466 is attached to the bracket by screws 46'! and a disk 465bears a pawl 468 (Fig. 15) biased by a spring into engagement with theteeth of a ratchet wheel 469 fixed to the shaft 460. The disk 455 isintegral with the gear 464 and the two are freely rotatable on the shaft460.

An inked ribbon 4'10, somewhat wider than a typewriter ribbon, isutilized in the printing operation and to this end one side of the lowerdeck 420 is provided with two brackets 412 and 414 (Fig. 13) throughwhich is journaled a shaft 4'16. The shaft 416 carries a spool 4'10fixedly attached to one end thereof for rotation therewith and uponwhich one end of the ribbon 410 is wound. The other end of the shaft4'16 has a beveled gear 480 pinned thereto. The other side of the lowerdeck 420 is provided with brackets 482 and 484 through which isjournaled a shaft 486 carrying a beveled gear 488 and a ribbon spool490. In the same plane with the two shafts 4'16 and 486 is mounted athird shaft 492 which is journaled in bosses 494 and 496 integral withthe side members of the lower deck 420. The shaft 492 has two beveledgears 498 and 500 pinned thereto and adapted for alternate engagementwith the beveled gears 480 and 488 respectively as will further appear.

The shaft 492 is of such length as to be movable axially for selectiveengagement of the teeth in either of the sets of beveled gears (480-498or 480500) cooperating therewith. A bracket 502 (Figs. 13, 20, 21) isattached to the lower deck 420 by means of two bolts 504 and 506 (Figs.13 and 20). The shaft 492 has fixed thereto two disks 508 and 510 (Fig.21) and between those two disks and concentric with the shaft 492 aremounted two permanent and parallel magnets 512 and 514 held stationaryby a capped assembly 516 (Fig. 21). The bracket 502 is also providedwith two upstanding arms 51B and 520 which support pivot pins 522 and524 upon which is tiltably mounted two plate members 528 and 529. Themember 529 has two depending arms 530 and 532 (Figs. 13, 14 and 21) andarm 532 carries a pin 533 extending between two disks 525 and 521rotatable with the shaft 492. The pin 533 also projects within thenormally parallel and upstanding tines of a spring member 536 (Fig. 21)the base of which is held in position with respect to the bracket 502 bymeans of a bolt 540. A stationary pin 534 also projects between thetines from the arm 520. A short pin 535 extends from the arm 530 andbetween the disks 521 and 525 and is in alignment with the pin 533. Abolt 542 is threaded into the plate member 529 and retains a tinedspring member 544, the normally parallel tines of which enclose two pins546 and 548. The pin 546 is fixed to the plate member 528 which isrotatable about the bolt 542 and the pin 548 is fixed to thenon-rotatable plate 529. The upturned end of a rod 550 passes looselythrough and near one end of the rotatable plate 528 and bears a cotterpin 551 to hold it in place. The rod 550 extends rearwardly of themachine and is pivotally attached to one arm 552 of a threearmed leverrotatably held on a pin 554 screwed into the deck 420. A second arm 556is slit lengthwise so that the ribbon 410 is adapted to pass through it,as shown. A third arm 558 of the three-armed lever (Fig. 13) ispivotally attached to a rod 568 which is similarly joined to a two-armedlever 562 mounted for rotation on a pin 564. The lower arm 566 of thetwoarmed lever is slit as is the arm 556 to receive the ribbon 418. Neareach end of the ribbon 418 is attached an eyelet 518 for contact withthe slit arms 556 or 566. Only one eyelet 518 is shown in Figs. 13 and18, as most of the ribbon is wound on the spool 498 as the apparatus isdrawn.

Freely mounted on the shaft 492 is a twoarmed plate member 514 (Figs. 13and 19) and contiguous to the plate is a ratchet wheel 516 which iskeyed to the shaft 492. One arm 518 (Fig. 19) of the plate 514 isadapted to be contacted by the depending pin 386 which is attached tothe intermediate deck 368. The other arm 588 of the plate 514 isconnected to a coil spring 582 the other end of which is attached to apin 584 fixed to the lower deck 428. Plate 514 is provided with a stopshoulder 515 which is adapted to engage a portion of a bracket 598. Apawl 586 is pivoted to an intermediate portion of the arm 518 and isurged by means of a spring into engagement with the teeth of the ratchetWheel 516. A second pawl 588 is pivoted to the bracket 598 which isattached by means of bolts 592 to the deck 428. This pawl is also biasedby means of a spring into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel516.

The cutter knife 448 heretofore referred to (Fig. 16) rotates with thescrew 444 serving as a pivot and the upper edge thereof is held incontact with a portion of the printer P by a spring actuated plunger 594pivoted to the knife and acting from the deck 428. The knife is providedwith an arcuate cutting edge 596 passing across the slot 442 of thecutter block 448. A stop pin 598 projects from the block 448 and isadapted to engage a shoulder 599 on the knife.

The printer P is supported on the lower deck 428 and is verticallymovable with relation thereto on two upstanding rods 688 and 682 whichare attached to the side members of the lower deck 428. The printer P ismade up of a number of solenoids S (Fig. 14) which are retained in placebetween two plates 684 and 686. The plungers of the solenoids S areurged to the left, as viewed in Fig. 14, by springs and their motion tothe left is limited by a plate 688 which is held in place with relationto the plate 884 by suitable bolts 6| 8 and spacers 612. The plates 684and 686 are held in spaced relation by the solenoids S and also by twoblocks 6M and 6|6 through which pass the rods 688 and 682 respectively.Screws (H8 and pins 628 are shown holding the plate 686 to the blocks614 and BIG and similar fastening means are provided for the plate 684.The rods 688 and 682 are provided with stop nut and washer sets 622 and624. A coiled return spring 626 is placed under compression between thelower deck 428 and the block (H4 and a spring 628 is similarly heldbeneath the block BIB. The plate 686 is perforated in three places on acircle T (Figs. 17 and 18) and in ten staggered places on twointermediate circles U as well as in four places on a smaller circle Q.These perforations are in accordance with the placement of the solenoidsS in the printer and permit the plungers of the solenoids S to projectfrom the plate 686 when the solenoids are energized. The tens solenoidsare on circle T and are located from right to left as viewed in Fig. 18to be in accordance with the readings 38, 28 and I8. The staggeredarrangement of solenoids on the two circles U are in the order of 0 to.9 as viewed from left to right in Fig. 18. The quarters are in the orderof 1, 2 and 3, as

viewed from left to right on the circle marked Q in Fig. 18. Stop pins638, 632 project from the plate 686 on the circle T. Similar pins 634,636, 638 and 648 also project from the plate 686 to serve as limitstops, as will further appear.

The link 294, which depends from the upper deck 264, is pivoted at 642(Fig. 18) to a geared segment 844 which in turn is pivoted at 646 to theplate 688. The teeth of the segment 644 engage the teeth of a gear 648which in turn is pinned to a, shaft 658 which is concentric with thecircles T, U and Q. The shaft 658 is supported on roller bearings Withina cylindrical member 652 (Fig. 14) which passes through the two plates684 and 686 and is retained in place by snap rings 654 and 656. Themember 652 constitutes the part of the printer which is in contact withthe knife 448 (Fig. 16). The shaft 658 extends rearwardly (on themeasuring ma chine) from the plate 686 and carries thereon in frictionalengagement therewith three type sectors 668, 662 and 664 which arelocated directly above the inked ribbon 418. The frictional engagementof each of the type sectors is maintained by resilient collars and thetype sectors rotate with the shaft 658 due to the friction and each ofthe type sectors may be stopped independently of the others. Thequarters type sector 668 is provided with a flange 666 which extendsinto thepath of the solenoid plungers projecting in the circle Q. Theunits type sector 662 is provided with a broad flange 668 which projectsinto the paths of the solenoid plungers emerging in the two circles U.The type sector 684 for the tens carries a flange 618, which is adaptedto strike any solenoid plunger emerging from the plate 686 in the circleT. It will be noted that the printer P is capable of motion on the rods688 and 882 toward and from the lower deck 428 due to the compressionand extension of the two coil springs; 626 and Fig. 17 shows the printerwith its type sectors in 0 position, i. e. at the beginning of eachprinting stroke. The flange of each type sector is against its zero stoppin and is in position subsequently to engage a solenoid plunger lyingin its path corresponding to Whatever character on that sector is to beprinted. Thus, the first projecting plunger encountered upon rotation ofthe shaft 858 determines the character printed and any projectingplunger further along the path of the arm ortype sector has no effect.The quarters are printed in order of precedence of the solenoids: 0, 1,2, 3, and each figure has a line under it to indicate that it is anumber of quarters. The dash is preferably used in place of a blank forintegral square feet, so that if a blank appears on a label it willindicate a malfunction. All sectors fail to print either if they havenot moved at all, or if they make a full stroke without encountering aplunger, thus showing up a solenoid failure or an open circuit of theelectrical system to be described. In Figs. 8 and 18, the totalizingmechanism and the printer are set to print 15% as the measurement.

A plate 614 (Fig. 18) is fixed to the upper surface of the angle bar 362and projects inwardly a short distance above the plates 684 and 686 ofthe printer P. The plate 614 carries an arm 613 (Figs. 10, '11 and 12)which extends upwardly to overlie the switch 295 which it is

